Probe of Nashua woman’s death continues

NASHUA — While details are still scarce surrounding the suspicious death of a woman found inside a Chestnut Street apartment on Saturday, authorities say the public does not need to be overly alarmed.

“Based on what we know so far, there is no reason for residents to take extraordinary measures, but we do encourage them to use ordinary caution,” said Janice Rundles, senior assistant attorney general. “There is no reason for a real alarm.”

An autopsy was in the process of being completed on Monday, but Rundles said it wasn’t finished as soon as she had anticipated.

“We don’t actually have those (results) yet. We hoped to get that today, but it looks like it will be another day or so,” said Rundles, adding it sometimes takes longer than one day for an autopsy to be completed.

City police were called to 32 Chestnut St. on Saturday afternoon after the woman’s body was discovered inside of one of the apartments. Police have not released the woman’s name or age, and have not said whether she was a resident of the apartment complex.

Rundles would not comment on rumors that the woman’s body was badly decomposed, nor would she comment on reports that the woman was found wrapped in a shower curtain in a bathroom.

“It is just too premature to comment on that,” she said. “The investigation is very active and continuing.”

Interviews with neighbors and family members are ongoing, but Rundles declined commenting on whether the family was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

Lt. Michael Moushegian of the Nashua Police Department would not comment on the case, referring all questions to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.

On Sunday, a release was issued asking anyone with information about the woman’s death to contact police at 603-594-3500, or call the Nashua Crime Line anonymously at 603-589-1665.

The apartment complex where the body was discovered, The Downtowner, is not far from the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter.

Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly lives at Clocktower Place, which is a short walking distance from where the woman was found.

“I don’t worry because I live so close, but I do worry because of what is happening in the city,” said Pressly, referring to the numerous deaths in Nashua this summer. “Of course I am concerned.”

Since June 17, nine people have been reported dead in the Gate City, some of them under suspicious and criminal circumstances, with others reported suicides and one confirmed fatal car crash. Those investigations are ongoing.